This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha
Nikola Jokic over 45.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-113) @ TOR -- DraftKings Sportsbook (12:32 PM CT)
Over the past 10 games, Jokic has averaged a combined 49.9 P+R+A, so it's easy to like Wednesday's 45.5 number. He's going up against a Raptors team that starts Pascal Siakam at center, and even Chris Boucher and Aron Baynes essentially pose no threat to Jokic getting his numbers. Even if Toronto makes a real effort to double-team Jokic every time down the court, he's obviously a good enough passer to get 10-15 assists.
Joe Bartel
Jaylen Brown over 22.5 points (-134) @ MIL -- DraftKings Sportsbook (12:06 PM CT)
For starters, the Bucks allow the third-most points to opposing shooting guards. Brown also went off for 33 points over this same opponent in the Christmas Day win all the way back at the beginning of the season. But even though the data supports the over, I think I'm interested in this bet for narrative reasons. The reeling Celtics need this game far more than the Bucks do, and if Jayson Tatum is still impacted by the illness that kept him out last time, Brown will have to have even more of an impact than normal. These are always famous last words, but anytime a player attempts as many shots as his over (over the last five games, Brown is averaging 23.0 attempts per game), it's generally a good bet.
Nick Whalen
Fred VanVleet OVER 29.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-113) vs. DEN -- DraftKings Sportsbook (2:29 PM CT)
Considering VanVleet has gone over this figure in six of his last eight games, the 29.5 number in and of itself is appealing. I don't know if the Raptors will trade Kyle Lowry before tomorrow's deadline, but if a deal materializes, there's a decent chance he could be held out of this game for precautionary reasons. In that case, VanVleet would take on an even larger role against a Nuggets defense that's been average, at best, and allows a ton of three-pointers (41.6% of total field goal attempts).
Jeff Edgerton
Nikola Jokic over 10.5 rebounds (-128) @ TOR -- FanDuel Sportsbook (2:35 PM CT)
He's gotten 11 rebounds on the back end of his past two back-to-backs, so that's an encouraging metric for this bet. He's yet to meet the Raptors, but they have plenty of struggles of their own, and he has a good shot at eclipsing this number.